Fresno’s Fashion Fair Mall is on track to receive a Dick’s House of Sport at the site of the former Forever 21.
The Fresno Historic Preservation Commission ruled on a 5-1 vote on Monday that the Forever 21 building is not eligible for historic status, meaning it can be torn down.
What we’re watching: With the decision in hand from the Historic Preservation Commission, the Fresno City Council will consider the building’s historic status in a final vote.
Driving the news: The three-story terraced building was initially built in 1970 as a Weinstock’s Department store and later housed Gottschalk’s until Forever 21 came in from 2011 to 2025.
The architectural style is the late-modern era with brutalist influences.
Forever 21 took up just one floor of the building and was underutilizing the space, Andy Greenwood – the Vice President of development for Fashion Fair owner Macerich – told the commission, pointing to concerns that a new tenant besides Dick’s could actually be found.
The big picture: Greenwood told the commission that Dick’s has been working since last summer to build its House of Sport at the site.
Fresno and Clovis already have Dick’s Sporting Goods locations, but the retailer does not have a House of Sport location in California.
Dick’s House of Sport are typically far larger than the retailer’s normal locations, running up to 150,000 square feet with a variety of sporting experiences, such as rock climbing walls, batting cages and digital golf ranges.
Dick’s is planning the Fashion Fair location to span 120,000 feet and could have it completed by the end of 2027.
What they’re saying: Greenwood told the commission that Macerich has forged a partnership with Dick’s in recent years for its properties across the nation.
“We believe Fresno Fashion Fair is quite fortunate to have a committed occupant within one year of Forever 21’s closure,” Greenwood said.